Directions to 7200 Sollers Point Road, Baltimore MD 21222. The Gallery is in Building K.

From North via Baltimore Beltway - (I-695)

Take Exit 39 (Merritt Blvd), proceed about 2 1/2 miles. At the 8th traffic light (intersection of Merritt Blvd - Peninsula Expressway and Merritt Ave) turn right. If you cross RR tracks you've gone too far. At the first traffic light, Merritt Ave becomes Sollers Point Road. Go Straight. The college is at the top of the crest on the right.

From South via I-95 (TOLL)

Take I-95 North, through Fort McHenry Tunnel. Stay to the right. Take Exit 58 (Dundalk Ave.). Proceed three lights, stay in left lane. At the third light, turn left onto Holabird Ave. Proceed four more lights and turn right on Delvale Ave. College is on left.

From I-695 and Francis Scott Key Bridge (TOLL)

After toll, make right at Exit 44 (Broening Hwy - Dundalk). Proceed to light at Dundalk Ave. Cross Dundalk Ave and you are on Belclare Rd. Proceed until Belclare dead-ends at light. Make left at light onto Sollers Point Road. Proceed past one stop sign, one light, and over the RR tracks. At "T" intersection (traffic light) turn left. Proceed up the hill. College is one the right.

The world wants to be deceived. We time travel through life, drifting in a vast sea of information and distractions, searching for the spectacular, the mysterious, and the hidden. Magic and art have been directly linked together for thousands of years. Both have healing powers, qualities of enchantment, and notions of secrecy. Both raise our levels of wonder and amazement, while challenging our beliefs and expectations. Both make us question the world around us as we concentrate and reflect upon the conceptual underpinnings of our own physical existence. This uncertainty, paired with the excitement of the unbelievable and the suspense of the impossible, allows us to dream and believe in worlds beyond our own. An artwork and a magic trick can both function as a mental portal for the viewer, whether it be through a manipulation of elements or a display of superhuman powers. Our imaginations question what we see with our eyes, and in turn, our eyes question what we think we perceive. It’s a circular illusion, an invisible energy, and it’s as ancient as it is contemporary. It brings to light the knowledge that nothing in nature remains in a fixed position. Wonderful, strange, and terrifying, all at the same time. It’s that absolute balance between real and unreal that treads a fine line at a truly undefined border.

The work selected for this exhibit revolves around concepts relating to material manipulation, visual trickery, and alternate perceptions of reality. “Magically Suspicious” aims to draw connections between process based art, abstraction, and the desire to explore the curious and the unknown.

The show will feature drawing, painting, photography, installation, and sculpture by 14 artists from Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington DC.

PLEASE JOIN US AT SCHOOL 33 ART CENTER ON SATURDAY JULY 7, FROM 3-6PM FOR THE GALLERY RECEPTION.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

During all of the preparation for my last two site specific drawings my studio has turned into a three dimensional sketchbook. I've been able to spread out many sketches to see them at once plus use the space to problem solve the design problems I will encounter in the gallery, nothing has been permanent, pure exploration of the ideas at hand...

Join me for a short talk and discussion about my inspiration and process for my painting and the site specific drawing created for this exhibition. Baltimore artist Elena Volkova will be joining me to discuss her subtly evocative "Airscape" photographs. A reception and informal discussion with the artists all follow.

"Slipping a variety of words into the blank of "_____scape" artists investigate the semantic origins of landscape as condition, shape or idea rather than the depiction of scenery."

On May 19, 2012 I installed "Confluence" at VisArts one 15 hour stretch. The drawing challenges the viewers sense of space by juxtaposing conflicting imagery with the structure of the wall. The drawing will exist for the duration of the exhibit before it is destroyed. See snapshots of the install on my blog. A time-lapse video/animation is under construction to document the drawing and will be posted on my website upon completion.

July 7, 3-6pm: Opening Reception for

"Magically Suspicious"

June 8 - August 18, 2012

I have installed another site specific drawing at the School 33 Art Center in Baltimore , MD forMagically Suspicious (Curated by Adam Lister). "Determining Area 1", a painting from 2012,is also included in the exhibition. Please join me for the on July 7, 3-6pm for the public reception.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or to schedule a studio visit. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Slipping a variety of words into the blank of "______scape” artists investigate the semantic
origins of landscape as a condition, shape or
idea rather than the depiction of scenery.
______scape
June 1 – August 10, 2012
VisArts Kaplan Gallery (2nd floor)

After weeks of preparation in my studio (including several large practice drawings) I installed "Confluence" in 15 hours on May 19, 2012 at VisArts in Rockville, MD. I arrived about 9 am, unloaded, set up the cameras and got to work sizing up the wall to layout out the drawing.
These are quick snapshots from my personal device, higher res versions to follow at a later date.
Come see the drawing at the reception on Friday, June 8, 2012 from 7-9 p.
For more info visit: http://www.visartsatrockville.org/exhibitions/upcoming-shows?task=view_event&event_id=41

I installed "Confluence" in 15 hours on May 19, 2012 at VisArts in Rockville, MD. In these photos I laid out the drawing and I am applied the masking materials.
These are quick snapshots from my personal device, higher res versions to follow at a later date

I installed "Confluence, in 15 hours on May 19, 2012 at VisArts in Rockville, MD. Graphite application (and removal) under way.
These are quick snapshots from my personal device, higher res versions to follow at a later date.

I installed "Confluence" in 15 hours on May 19, 2012 at VisArts in Rockville, MD. I'm removing the masking materials.
These are quick snapshots from my personal device, higher res versions to follow at a later date.

I installed "Confluence", in 15 hours on May 19, 2012 at VisArts in Rockville, MD. This is the finished drawing, at almost midnight.
These are quick snapshots from my personal device, higher res versions to follow at a later date.
Come see the drawing at the reception on Friday, June 8, 2012 from 7-9 p.
For more info visit: http://www.visartsatrockville.org/exhibitions/upcoming-shows?task=view_event&event_id=41

More Artwork from Adams

About Me

John M. Adams is an artist living in Reston, VA, just outside of Washington DC. He maintains a studio in Arlington. His work has won numerous awards and accolades, including a Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Graduate Fellowship and multiple juror awards. Public Collections of his work include the Arlington County Small Works Collection, as well as the 8 pieces in the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, including 6 pieces in the City Hall Art Collection (the John A. Wilson Building). His recent solo exhibition at the Arlington Art Center and Site Specific Wall Drawing at Artomatic 2007 won praise from The Washington Post Film/Art Critic Michael O'Sullivan.